TEEN-AGE PURCHASES CAME EASY; 16-YEAR-OLD ISN'T SURPRISED SHE BOUGHT TOBACCO, ALCOHOL

Cape Girardeau police Cpl. Barry Hovis was shocked at how easy it was for teen-agers to buy alcohol and cigarettes in the city.

But a 16-year-old who bought alcohol and cigarettes wasn't a bit surprised.

In fact, the girl said she was more surprised when a couple convenience store clerks wouldn't sell.

"I knew it would be easy," she said. "There were hardly any that didn't sell to us, but I knew that would be the case."

Four teen-agers, ages 16 and 17, participated in an alcohol and tobacco compliance inspection conducted Feb. 6 by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. They visited 15 convenience stores and were able to buy tobacco, alcohol or both at 12 stores.

A dozen summonses were issued to people who allegedly sold tobacco to the minors and eight to those who allegedly sold alcohol.

The compliance check was initiated after parents complained to Hovis that teens have no trouble buying alcohol and cigarettes. Parents said teens could go into stores and buy alcohol or cigarettes themselves and never face a question.

"We really didn't think it would be that bad," Hovis said. "I was really surprised.

"I told the kids I didn't care if we made a bust all night," Hovis said. "And we were very careful not to entrap or trick any of the clerks."

Hovis told the teens to dress as they would on a regular day at school. They didn't lie about their ages. If asked for an ID, they produced their real IDs with actual birth dates.

"We picked young-looking people," Hovis said.

"He told me not to wear makeup or try to look older," the teen buyer said.

Hovis said most clerks never requested identification and didn't ask about age. Some looked at IDs for the teens and sold alcohol and cigarettes anyway.

The four teens, along with Hovis, traveled to the stores in an unmarked vehicle. At each stop two teens entered the store a few minutes apart. One attempted to buy cigarettes and the other alcohol.

"I just picked out what I wanted and put it on the counter," she said. "Some people asked to see ID, but on my ID the birthday is on the back. No one turned it over."

At one stop a clerk never asked one of the other teens how old he was. Instead the clerk asked another clerk, "He looks 21 doesn't he?" and sold the 17-year-old beer.

Hovis said additional compliance checks are likely to be held.

The underage buyer predicted that future checks would net the same results.

"I don't think this will stop things," she said. "It might for a week or two, but not after that. Kids are still going to be able to get whatever they want."

"I don't think this reflects on the stores or ownership," Hovis said. "Employees just aren't taking the time."